Best Mystery Books for Gifting 

Not gonna lie—sometimes, it’s really hard to pick a book for a mystery fan because they’ve already read all the classics and are up-to-date with contemporary releases.

After all, you don’t want to gift someone a book they’ve already read before. In that case, the best way to go about it is to pre-order a book such as the paperback deluxe edition of Julie Clark’ Ghostwriter—a bestselling suspense-ridden murder thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

It delves into the sordid secrets of the Taylor family, and ghostwriter Olivia Dumont (the secret child of Vincent Taylor) is offered a devilish deal—write her father’s last book and escape financial ruin. With twists and revelations in every page, this book promises to be an enthralling ride.

If you like your murder mysteries with a sci-fi/dystopian twist, you’ll definitely enjoy this evocatively titled book from Stuart Turton, the acclaimed author of The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle and The Devil and the Dark Water.

The Last Murder at the End of the World is set in an idyllic island with a population of one twenty-five people—until one scientist is murdered.

And if the inhabitants don’t find the murderer in 107 hours, a poisonous smog will smother everyone. A high-stakes, ingenious take on the locked-room murder mystery.

When it comes to fast-paced psychological thrillers, Iliana Xander is a name to trust. First with Love, Mom and now with All Eyes on Him, she’s proven her mastery of the thriller form.

All Eyes on Him follows Natalie, trying to find out why her best friend was discovered unconscious at a bus stop after leaving the club with a handsome stranger. Except this stranger is actually the “Man of the Year”—an untouchable millionaire—and to get close to him, Natalie decides to become a housekeeper at his mansion, only to realize she may have fallen into a deeper trap than anticipated.

With limited designed edges, this one is a must-have for mystery/thriller fans.

Jacqueline Winspear penned eighteen books in her historical mystery series, Maisie Dobbs. The first book is set in the aftermath of World War I, and Maise (who’d formerly trained as a nurse) is now rebuilding her life as a private investigator.

It’s sweet, enticing, nostalgic, and full of fun—an enduring classic for a reason. And now the book is available as a special collector’s edition with an afterword by the author and matching printed endpapers.

Whether the reader is a longtime fan of the series or looking for something new, this hardcover edition is definitely a keepsake.

Nearly every mystery fan on the planet will have read a Sherlock Holmes story, but not many of them will own an illustrated edition of the books featuring their favorite sleuth.

This iconic volume collects twelve of the Sherlock Holmes stories originally published in the Strand Magazine from 1891 to 1892. Moreover, this edition includes all the original illustrations by Sidney Paget.

The pages are smooth and glossy—and will definitely make you feel like you’ve traveled back to the Victorian times. A gloriously immersive experience. 

Let’s face it—sometimes, it isn’t enough to gift just a single book. Sometimes, you want to go slightly overboard to make someone feel extra special.

So, if you have a friend, lover or family member who adores cozy mysteries, why not gift them a box set, containing not one but many books to keep them occupied through the holiday season?

D.B. Borton’s Cat Caliban books have been described as “warm and witty whodunits”—featuring a fifty-something detective-in-training who is also the mom of three cats and three grown-up kids and is ready to start afresh.

Light-hearted and refreshing, this box set will certainly cheer up any gloomy heart!